HOW TO: Hit a backhand in tennis

Monday

Jul 30, 2007 at 12:01 AMJul 30, 2007 at 2:16 PM

The backhand is one of two vital ground strokes (the forehand is the other) in tennis and is usually executed from the baseline. Here are the fundamentals which provide the proper way to hit a backhand. See a photo slideshow on how to hit a successful backhand.

Ryan Long

The backhand is one of two vital ground strokes (the forehand is the other) in tennis and is usually executed from the baseline. Here are the fundamentals which provide the proper way to hit a backhand.

(Step 1)

Shoulder turn and racket preparation

Prepare the racket with a shoulder turn and try to get away from taking the racket back without a shoulder turn. The end of the racket should be pointing toward the target and the racket face should be pointing down.

(Step 2)

Contact point

Drop the racket head on forward swing and have consistent contact in front of the body, or even with the front foot.

(Step 3)

Follow through
Swing the racket toward the target with an emphasis on left arm extension (for right-handed players).

(Step 4)

Finish
Keep the left elbow high and pointed at the target. The racket should end up over the right shoulder (for right-handed players).

Demonstrating each step is Elmhurst resident Stephanie Ruff, who will be a senior at Nazareth Academy this fall.

Source: Greg Spencer, tennis professional for Courts Plus in Elmhurst

photos.chicagosuburbannews.com/298636 Staff photo by Kate Dougherty

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